Couch to 5K?

I'm a graduate - went from being a complete non-runner to being able to run the 5k distance. I followed the program exactly and made it through with no repeat days, and no injuries. I'm still running 3 days per week, my farthest distance was 5 miles, but I generally go from 2 - 4 miles per run. My first 5k race is coming up Memorial Day weekend.

The program works - I'm proof! :bigsmile:

Edited to add:

I made sure I had good shoes, did a good warm up and always stretched after each run, and I still do. I used an iPhone app (c25kFREE by Zen Labs), carried my phone in an armband, and do all my running outside.

I want to start this program on my new treadmill. But I don't know if I should do it everyday or every other day. I've heard conflicting things.

Started it yesterday! Can't wait for day two tomorrow!

I am a graduate. I found the first few weeks to be "ok", not killer but not easy. Then it ramps up quickly but you'll be amazed when you hit each milestone. For motivation I gave myself little rewards for running 5mins non-stop, then 8, 10 etc... I have my first 5k in June and my goal is to finish without walking, later this summer I can try for a PB.

The best comment on here is get good shoes! Go get fitted and spend atleast $100 if not close to $200. It may sound like a lot but it will make or break your success, the wrong shoes will make running 10 times harder and cause injury.

Good luck keep us posted!

I finished the program on New Years Day this year. I was a run hater before I started. Didn't even like to run across the street. Now I can't wait for my next run. I'm still running three times a week and increase the distance of my Sunday run each week - my longest run so far has been 9 miles. I've done three 5k races and a 10k and I'm planning to run a half-marathon in December.

Get good shoes and start slow. The slower you run at the start the better it will be for your joints and muscles in the long run.

Have fun!

I do Week4Day3 tomorrow - and I use the Active.com Couch-to-5-k app on my Android phone. I never, ever thought I could even complete 60 seconds of jogging but now I am doing 3-minute and 5-minute sections.

I have done a good 10 or so 5ks in the past couple of years, always walking them, and this past weekend just did one in which I ran and walked. I was with my mom, who is not training to jog, and when she would walk I did too with the knowledge that I could've easily continued on. It's a very mental task, much more mental than physical.

Listen to your body, get some good tunes, and invest in great shoes. You got it!

Tonight will be my 2nd Day of the 1st week. I will keep you posted!! I'm excited about this program.

EDIT*** Anyone who wants to add me who is just starting this program, feel free. That would really help me out.

RUN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

im really thinking of doing this .. but i dont have proper shoes or money to buy new shoes just yet. i may just try with what i got.

It's a fantastic program! I'm a little more than halfway through, and just did my first 5k two weekends ago and had so much fun. I was a total non runner when I started and now I really look forward to the days that I get to run.

Oh, and I definitely second those who recommended getting good shoes. Get fitted at a running store if you can. I put that off for a while, but now that I have proper ones it has made ALL the difference.

I'm on Day 3 of Week 1. I am doing more than 3 days a week, but my plan is to repeat days in the week before I move on to the next week, so I am getting a work out closer to 6 days a week but also not doing too much too soon.

I paid for the Active.com C25K app on Android. I read all the reviews on the available apps and I thought it was best to pay the $2 for the original. My only complaint is that it's not continuously picking up my GPS, so even though it keeps me on time for intervals, the only way I know how far I have gone is because I have my neighborhood mapped out.

I have the luxury of my first 5K literally starting outside my apartment so I will be able to work up to the actual route before the big day in August.

Oh, anyone in their first week of this program, feel free to add me. Hoping we can help each other through it!!

It's how I got started and everyone else I know got started.

Loved it and totally recommend it. I graduated last week and started Bridge to 10K last night.

I have NEVER been a runner until I started C25K in February...now I'm addicted.

Get a phone app. There are lots of them out there.
Get good running shoes.
Breathe.
Don't go too fast!

Good luck! :drinker: